One unit of alcohol = half a pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider (3–4% alcohol by volume ABV) = a standard pub measure (50ml) of fortified wine such as sherry or port (20% ABV) = a small glass of ordinary strength wine (12% ABV) = a small pub measure of spirits (40% ABV).
The exact number of units in a particular drink can be calculated by multiplying the volume of the drink (number of ml) by the % ABV (Alcohol by Volume) and dividing by 1,000. For example, the number of units in a strong beer of 500 ml with a 6% ABV = 500 3 6.0 divided by 1,000 = 3 units. Another way of calculating units is as follows. The percentage alcohol by volume (% ABV) of a drink equals the number of units in one litre of that drink. For example, strong beer at 6% ABV has 6 units in one litre. If you drink half a litre (500ml) – just under a pint – then you have had 3 units.
KEY POINTS
• Alcohol has become one of the most important risks to health globally. • About 1.1 million people with alcohol dependence in Britain.
• Younger people were more likely to drink heavily above the daily recom- mendations.
• Males were three times more likely to misuse alcohol than females.
• Most of the alcohol-related deaths were caused by cirrhosis and chronic liver disease.
• Alcohol is absorbed in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach. This adds to the problem of poor malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies in heavy alcohol drinkers. • Women do not metabolise alcohol as effectively as men and are more vulnerable
to the consequences of alcohol drinking.
• A blackout is a memory impairment that occurs in anyone who drinks large amount of alcohol in one session.
• Chronic alcohol use may result in significant memory problems and cognitive impairment.
• Foetal alcohol syndrome is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can cause permanent damage to the baby’s brain, resulting in neurological impairment of the executive functions.
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that individuals have when they suddenly stop drinking alcohol, following continuous and heavy consumption. • Men should not regularly drink more than 3–4 units of alcohol per day, and
women should not regularly drink more than 2–3 units of alcohol per day.
Table 7.5 Guidelines for sensible drinking
Men (over 40 years of age) Women (post-menopausal)
Health benefits 1–2 units/day 1–2 units/day
No significant health risks 3–4 units/day (all ages) 2–3 units/day (all ages)
ACTIVITY 7.2
Please choose one correct answer to the following multiple-choice questions
Alcohol is a a. Stimulant b. Hallucinogen c. Depressant d. Opioid
In the UK, how many people die each year from their alcohol consumption? a. 30,000
b. 22,000 c. 60,000 d. 10,000
The World Health Organization’s (WHO 2004) estimate of diagnosable alcohol use disorders is
a. 33.3 million b. 45.3 million c. 66.3 million d. 76.3 million
In England, the percentage of hazardous or harmful drinkers is
a. 33%
b. 43%
c. 23%
d. 53%
The number of people dependent on alcohol in England is a. 2.1million
b. 0.5 million c. 1.1 million d. 1.5 million
The average rate of binge drinking in the UK is about a. Once every 10 days
b. Once every 11 days c. Once every 12 days d. Once every 13 days
According to recent research, which of the following nations has the highest rate of binge drinking among men?
a. UK
b. Finland c. Italy d. France
Binge drinking refers to
a. Men drinking more than 4 units and women drinking at least 3 units on at least one day in the last week
b. Men drinking more than 5 units and women drinking at least 4 units on at least one day in the last week
c. Men drinking more than 8 units and women drinking at least 6 units on at least one day in the last week
d. Men drinking more than 10 units and women drinking at least 7 units on at least one day in the last week
According to government statistics, which age group is most likely to drink heavily – more than eight units a day for men or six units for women?
a. 11–15-year-olds b. 16–24-year-olds c. 36–44-year-olds d. 65 and over
Alcohol is nearly as addictive as which drug? a. Cocaine
b. Heroin c. Cannabis d. Stimulants
Which of the following is a factor in alcohol’s effect? a. Body weight, age and gender
b. Gender, body weight and metabolism c. Gender, age and genetics
d. Age, metabolism and genetics
How old do you have to be to legally buy alcohol at a pub in the UK?
a. 15
b. 16
c. 17
d. 18
When drinking the same amount of alcohol, women become a. Less intoxicated than men
b. More intoxicated than men c. There is no difference d. More agitated than men
How does the alcohol content of a pint of normal-strength beer compare with the alcohol content of a double whisky?
a. More in the beer b. More in the whisky c. The same amount
What are the government’s recommended daily alcohol limits for men in the UK? a. 2 units
b. 3–4 units c. 4–5 units d. 5–6 units
What are the government’s recommended daily alcohol limits for women in the UK?
a. 1 unit b. 1–2 units c. 2–3 units d. 3–4 units
Drinking too much alcohol may increase the likelihood of which of these diseases? a. Liver cirrhosis
b. Cancer
c. Fertility problems d. All of the above
Alcohol misuse can cause cirrhosis of one of the main organs of the body. Which organ?
a. Liver b. Heart c. Kidneys d. Stomach
Approximately how long does your liver take to process one unit of alcohol? a. 30 minutes
b. 60 minutes c. 90 minutes d. 120 minutes
Is it true that drinking alcohol can be good for your heart? a. No – it doesn’t benefit the heart at all
b. No – in fact, drinking any alcohol increases your risk of heart disease c. Yes – alcohol consumption helps to protect all of us from heart disease d. Yes – moderate alcohol consumption does protect people from heart disease,
but only for men over 40, and women who have gone through the menopause
Alcohol is broken down in the liver by the enzyme: a. Acetaldehyde hydrogenase
b. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase c. Acetyl choline
d. Serotonin
Thiamine deficiency can cause: a. Alcohol psychosis
b. Wernicke’s encephalopathy 86 PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
c. Neuropthaties d. Depression
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is present when a problem drinker: a. Ceases alcohol consumption
b. Increases alcohol consumption c. Reduces alcohol consumption
d. Ceases or reduces alcohol consumption
Withdrawal symptoms occur in individuals who are: a. Heavy drinkers
b. Recreational drinkers c. Social drinkers d. Experimental drinkers
How many units of alcohol are in three pints of strong lager? a. 3 units
b. 6 units c. 9 units d. 12 units
At what stage does drinking alcohol begin to impact upon your ability to drive safely? Is it after you have consumed:
a. 1 unit b. 2 units c. 3 units d. 10 units